| United States Patent | 5,760,004 |
| Stedronsky | Jun. 2, 1998 |
| Inventors: | Stedronsky; Erwin R. (San Diego, CA). |
| Assignee: | Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (San Diego, CA). |
| Appl. No.: | 343,264 |
| Filed: | Nov. 21, 1994 |
| Intl. Cl. : | C07K 14/195 |
| Current U.S. Cl.: | 514/21; 530/353 |
| Field of Search: | 514/21; 530/353, 408-410 |
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Primary Examiner: Robinson; Douglas W.
Assistant Examiner: Delaney; Patrick R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Trecartin; Richard F., Kresnak; Mark
T.
Highly repetitive proteins which are relatively insoluble in water are chemically modified to increase solubility. The protein is reacted with a functionalizing agent to introduce additional polar functionalities and disrupt the order of the protein. The solubility of the protein in water is increased by the chemical modification, while adhesive and surfactant properties are retained.
